,   This is my first newsletter as Director of Development and Communications and I'm very much hoping that St. Paul's words: "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit" (1 Cor 12:4) are going to come true. Our sisters are so grateful for all that Sister Gen Maiers has done in her 20 years in this position. She has brought her own unique gifts to the role and I, for one, am so happy to inherit the many friends she has made for our monastery during those years. I'm conscious that I will bring a different set of gifts to this work, but I hope that I, too, can be open to the Spirit's guidance, sharing our Benedictine spirituality and values with the wider world.

Maybe you'd like to know a little bit about me? If you could hear me speak, you'd realize I'm not from the local area. I come from a bit further east--England! In my home there is a city called Manchester which is about 200 miles north-west of London. I first visited the monastery for two weeks in 2005 as scholar on our Studium program. I had no intention of joining this, or any other, monastery! However, on a second, longer visit to Studium in 2006, I realized that I was called to monastic life. I entered the monastery in 2007, made first monastic profession in 2009 and perpetual profession in 2012.

Many sisters will tell you that living in a monastic community enables you to develop gifts and talents you never knew you had. That's certainly been true for me! I've studied philosophy, theology and nursing and had worked as a nurse and healthcare researcher for about 25 years before I became a sister. Since I entered the monastery, I initially worked as part of the housekeeping team which is headed by Sister Marcella Weber. I loved that experience. After I made first profession, I began working in development and, after making perpetual profession, I became Director of Communications. It's certainly been an opportunity to learn on the job! I'm apprehensive about this new move which combines responsibility for development and communications, but I'm also excited. Usually, in these letters, we focus on the fact that we are praying for you but, on this occasion, I'd like to ask for your prayers for me and my team as we make this transition.

You maybe already know that I'm not a stranger to the newsletter. For the past three and a half years, I've been responsible for the news items that we feature below. Now, I've swapped my role and I'm writing the "letter" part which S. Gen always did. My former

S. Tammy Shoemaker

role has been taken on by Sister Tammy Shoemaker who made her first monastic profession last summer and has been working with us since October. We both hope that you'll continue to read Musings. We're certainly enjoying the opportunity to work on it and keep you up to date with what's happening at the  monastery. 

Finally, I'd like to say a sincere "thank you" for the support you've given us over the years. It is a joy to know that you want to remain connected and I hope that will continue to be the case. Thank you!